From the 3rd to the 25th May 2025, the Burrenbeo Trust’s annual celebration of biodiversity returns to the Burren with a wide range of events on offer throughout the month of May to explore the regions’ rich diversity of plants, flowers, birds and insects at the height of their seasonal splendour. Events include 14 guided walks on Burren hills and farms, in woodlands, at national park sites and in gardens along with talks, workshops, and a webinar– all in the company of inspiring naturalists, farmers and landowners who are passionate about promoting a better future for our natural world.
The opening talk of the programme on 3rd of May in Kinvara will highlight the often surprising, and entertaining lives of insects as shown by insect photographer, naturalist and author Lisa Clancy. The ‘wildlife pond workshop’ delivered by Féidhlim Harty, advisor with The Hare’s Corner initiative on 3rd of May and ‘Caher Bridge Garden visit’ guided by its creator Carl Wright on 11th of May – both highlight practical actions that individuals or communities can take to make more space for nature in their own pockets of land.
An evening talk on 22nd of May in Doolin will see the renowned natural philosopher Matthijs Schouten and his colleagues from The Oikos Collective give their perspectives on what makes the Burren a unique landscape for learning and inspiration for restoring human-nature relationships. Other indoor events include a Tea Talk with author Rachel McKenna on ‘Step into Nature – Flora and Fauna from May to June’ in Tubber Village Hall, a Children’s art workshop with wildlife artist Gordon D’Arcy in Kinvara Community Centre as well as an online talk on ‘Ants in Ireland – and the Burren’ with zoologist John Breen.
The festival will culminate on the last weekend of May with 3 Burren farm walks – the ‘Burren Farm Biodiversity walk’ with the ACRES Burren Aran team, the ‘Great Irish Grasslands’ walk with botanist Phoebe O’Brien and a ‘Return to the Winterage’ walk with guides from the National Park – all offering a wonderful chance to enjoy the wildflowers whose arrival has been made possible by the farming practice of winter grazing in the Burren.
Áine Bird, CEO of Burrenbeo Trust says, “The Burren’s unique ecological richness makes it a perfect place for learning and celebration. Burren in Bloom brings us together to appreciate this beauty while reminding us of the local and global threats to biodiversity and our role in protecting it.”
While all indoor events are free, small costs apply to the guided walks to support the work of Burrenbeo Trust. Advance booking essential for all events (unless otherwise stated). As Burrenbeo’s season offer, all those who add a Burrenbeo Membership when booking Burren in Bloom tickets will get a FREE set of Burren Field Guides (worth €15) in the post. This year’s programme is coordinated by the Burrenbeo Trust, and part-funded by ACRES Burren Aran. For more information about the programme, please visit burreninbloom.com
To learn more about agri-environment schemes available under the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, click here.
Image Source: Burrenbeo Trust
